Average
#278 of 574 schools in SD
Top 48% in state
Willow Lake Middle School - 03
Middle School · Willow Lake School District 12-3
PO Box 170, Willow Lake, SD 57278
Enrollment
63
Student-Teacher
21:1
Score
6.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
63
Student-Teacher
21:1
Score
6.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Willow Lake
#1 of 4
public schools
South Dakota middle schools
#61 of 144
In district
#1 of 4
Willow Lake School District 12-3
Academic growth
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Willow Lake Middle School - 03
Willow Lake Middle School - 03 is a small public middle school located in the remote rural area of Willow Lake, South Dakota. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 63 students and three full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 21:1. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.4 out of 10, placing it at number 286 among South Dakota’s 586 schools, reflecting room for academic growth.
In terms of test performance, 58% of students are proficient in ELA/Reading, while 38% meet the proficiency standards in Math. Willow Lake Middle School focuses on student development and offers a supportive environment where each child can receive personalized attention. The school community is tight-knit, with teachers and staff working closely to ensure that every student receives the support they need.
Willow Lake Middle School - 03 stands out as a pillar of educational support in its remote setting, fostering a nurturing atmosphere for young adolescents.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 63 students, Willow Lake Middle School - 03 is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
The student-teacher ratio at Willow Lake Middle School - 03 is 21:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Located in a rural area, Willow Lake Middle School - 03 may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Willow Lake Middle School - 03 — Students at Willow Lake Middle School - 03 score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
34.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from SD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.6/10.
How Willow Lake Middle School - 03 Compares
See how Willow Lake Middle School - 03 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 34.5% (2019) to 44.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 54.5% (2019) to 54.5% (2022).
Location
PO Box 170, Willow Lake, SD 57278
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Willow Lake Middle School - 03 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Clark Middle School - 03 (rated 5.7/10, 18.1 miles away, in nearby Clark), with a comparable rating. Another option is Iroquois Middle School - 02 (rated 5.3/10, 21.0 miles away, in nearby Iroquois), a more accessible option. Additionally, Henry Middle School - 03 (rated 5.1/10, 19.5 miles away, in nearby Henry), a more accessible option. For more schools in Willow Lake, see our Willow Lake schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 21.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Willow Lake Elementary - 02 Willow Lake | 0.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Willow Lake High School - 01 Willow Lake | 0.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Mayfield Colony Elementary - 04 Willow Lake | 5.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Collins Colony Elementary - 06 Willow Lake | 6.4 mi | — |
| Silver Lake Colony - 07 Clark | 16.5 mi | — |
| De Smet High School - 01 De Smet | 17.3 mi | 7.6 |
| De Smet Middle School - 03 De Smet | 17.3 mi | 3.2 |
| Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 De Smet | 17.4 mi | 5.5 |
| SUNNY PLAINS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Iroquois | 15.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Clark Elementary - 02 Clark | 18.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Clark High School - 01 Clark | 18.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Clark Middle School - 03 Clark | 18.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 Carpenter | 16.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Henry Elementary - 02 Henry | 19.5 mi | 4.0 |
| Henry High School - 01 Henry | 19.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Henry Middle School - 03 Henry | 19.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 Garden City | 21.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Shamrock Colony Elementary - 05 Willow Lake | 15.7 mi | — |
| Iroquois High School - 01 Iroquois | 21.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Iroquois Middle School - 02 Iroquois | 21.0 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 57278 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,938
Median Home Value
$202,700
Median Rent
$745/mo
Population
1,082
College Educated
21.7%
Homeownership
78.7%
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Median Age
22.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Willow Lake Middle School - 03 has a median household income of $65,938. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $202,700, with a median rent of $745/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| McLaughlin Middle School - 03 Mclaughlin, SD | 6.4 |
| Timber Lake Middle School - 03 Timber Lake, SD | 6.4 |
| Ipswich Middle School - 04 Ipswich, SD | 6.5 |
| Florence Middle School - 03 Florence, SD | 6.6 |
| Langford Area Middle School - 03 Langford, SD | 6.6 |
| Freeman Jr High - 05 Freeman, SD | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Willow Lake Middle School - 03
What grades does Willow Lake Middle School - 03 serve?
Willow Lake Middle School - 03 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Willow Lake Middle School - 03?
Willow Lake Middle School - 03 has an enrollment of approximately 63 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Willow Lake Middle School - 03?
The student-teacher ratio at Willow Lake Middle School - 03 is 21:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Willow Lake Middle School - 03 rank in SD?
Willow Lake Middle School - 03 is ranked #278 out of 574 schools in SD.
What is Willow Lake Middle School - 03's MySchoolScout rating?
Willow Lake Middle School - 03 has a composite rating of 6.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Willow Lake Middle School - 03?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Willow Lake Middle School - 03 has 37.8% math proficiency and 57.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Willow Lake Middle School - 03 a charter school?
No, Willow Lake Middle School - 03 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Willow Lake Middle School - 03 a Title I school?
No, Willow Lake Middle School - 03 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Willow Lake Middle School - 03?
34.9% of students at Willow Lake Middle School - 03 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 63
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 3
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 34.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Clark County
- Phone
- (605) 625-5945
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Willow Lake School District 12-3- District Enrollment
- 338
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,529
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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